Frequently Asked Questions
1. WHO ARE MANDATED REPORTERS?
People who are in helping professions are by law mandated reporters. These include all healthcare providers (dentists, dental hygienists, physicians, nurses, social workers, occupational and physical therapists, etc.), teachers, and emergency responders (police, EMTs, fire fighters).
2. DO I NEED TO TAKE AN ABUSE AND NEGLECT CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSE?
License renewal requirements vary with different licensing agencies. In Maryland, Dental and Dental Hygiene license renewal includes a requirement of at least two credits every four years in a Maryland specific abuse and neglect continuing education course. Yet anyone can benefit from recognizing signs of abuse and neglect.
3. WHY IS ABUSE AND NEGLECT CONTINUING EDUCATION MANDATED?
Education for mandated reporters is critical to learn the warning signs and access reporting and referral information. Signs of abuse and neglect may range from subtle to obvious. Simply put, you can’t recognize it if you don’t know what you are seeing. When abuse and neglect go untreated the victims suffer untold damage including death. Intervention can result in lifesaving help.
4. I NEED TO TAKE AN ABUSE AND NEGLECT Continuing Education COURSE. WHERE CAN I FIND ONE THAT QUALIFIES FOR MARYLAND DENTAL RELICENSURE?
The Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners (the Board) must certify any course or organization that provides continuing education for dental licensing. Mid-Atlantic P.A.N.D.A. has had their programs approved by the Board.
Mid-Atlantic P.A.N.D.A. provides both live and online Continuing Education courses. To schedule a live presentation, contact us at midatlanticpanda@gmail.com. You can also check our events calendar on the home page for available courses. The online program may be accessed on the website of our corporate sponsor Philips Sonicare.
5. DON’T ABUSE AND NEGLECT SEMINARS HAVE TO BE FREE?
No, approved sponsors and organizations may charge whatever they wish to attend their programs. However, Mid-Atlantic P.A.N.D.A. strives to educate healthcare professionals at little or no cost. Live presentations have an inherent cost. Mid-Atlantic P.A.N.D.A. asks sponsoring organizations not to seek to profit at our live presentations. Instead, the financial goal is to break even and make a minimum per participant contribution to P.A.N.D.A. to help defray our costs.
6. ARE THERE ANY FREE ABUSE AND NEGLECT CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS?
Yes. Philips Sonicare has generously placed the most current P.A.N.D.A. seminar online. Click here to access the program and earn your Continuing Education credits.
7. HOW OFTEN MUST I TAKE AN ABUSE AND NEGLECT COURSE?
Maryland dental licenses have an every other two year license cycle. In other words, two credits every four years.
8. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT A PATIENT’S WELL BEING. WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP?
Many resources are available depending on the person’s age and level of vulnerability. View the Resources Overview page for more information.
9. IF I MAKE A REPORT IN GOOD FAITH, CAN I BE SUED?
Good Samaritan laws protect those who report suspected abuse and neglect. Making a report is really saying, “I am concerned for a vulnerable individual’s safety and well-being.”
10. I HAVE ATTENDED SEVERAL LIVE PRESENTATIONS AND THE QUALITY OF THE SPEAKERS HAS REALLY VARIED. WHY IS THAT?
You probably noticed that all P.A.N.D.A. speakers are passionate about supporting children and adults in dangerous situations. However, all of our speakers are unpaid volunteers who donate their time and energy to educate themselves and their colleagues about at risk children and adults. While there are few professional speakers in our organization, we do have dozens of dedicated individuals eager to help those without a voice. If you would like to join these incredible volunteers, contact us at midatlanticpanda@gmail.com.
11. WHAT ABOUT HIPAA?
The HIPAA Privacy Rule provides federal protections for personal health information held by covered entities and gives patients an array of rights with respect to that information. At the same time, the Privacy Rule is balanced so that it permits the disclosure of personal health information needed for patient care and other important purposes.
The Security Rule specifies a series of administrative, physical, and technical safeguards for covered entities to use to assure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic protected health information.